A Topic of Moral Theology

The obligation of a vow

Its gravity and interpretation; when it ceases intrinsically or extrinsically.

Also asked about as…

do i have to keep my vow (ed.)

In the index as Vow · Oath · Obligation of a vow · Vows · Obligation · Delay · Viva, Domenico · Heir · Interpretation · Sporer, Patritius · Condition · Fulfillment · La Croix, Claude · Tamburini, Tommaso · Time · Acceptance · Castropalao, Fernando · Cessation · Condition in a vow · Delay of a vow · Dispensation · Doubt about a vow · Fulfillment of a vow · Gravity

Further reading On Vows That Conflict with the Passover Commandment — on Numbers 9 ↗ — Cornelius a Lapide, The Great Commentary, read off-site at lapide.org (public-domain translation) (ed.)

In the manuals

Summa of Moral Theology (Summa Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Third. On Vow, Article Third. On the Obligation of Vow, nn. 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225 & 226 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Manual of Moral Theology for English-Speaking Countries

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. II, Chapter IV. Vows, nn. 3 & 4 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Chapter III. On the Obligation of a Vow, nn. 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649 & 650 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, Vows, nn. 2209–2223 (15 passages)

Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. I, On the Second Precept of t…, IV. On Vow, nn. 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595 & 596 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology of Fr. John Peter Gury, S.J., with the Notes of Antonio Ballerini, S.J.

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the Second Precept of t…, Ch. III, Article II. On the Obligation of a Vow, nn. 325 & 326 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Synopsis of Moral and Pastoral Theology

Vol. II, On the Virtue of Religion …, Chapter II: On Oaths and Vows, nn. 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, 988 & 989 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Handbook of Moral Theology (Koch–Preuss)

Vol. IV, Pt. II, Ch. II, Section 5: The Obligation of Vows, nn. ¶1–¶20 (20 passages)

Theologia Moralis: Principles — Responses — Counsels

Vol. II, Bk. II, Tr. II, Ch. III, Article II: The Obligation and Execution of a Vow, nn. 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221 & 222 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manuale Theologiae Moralis

Vol. II, Tr. XI, Sect. II, Q. I, Ch. II, Art. IV, § 4. On the Obligation of a Vow, nn. ¶61, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 & 408 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Summa Theologiae Moralis

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Fifth Part: On the Virtues…, Section B: On the Acts of …, Ch. III, Question Three: On Vow, Article III: On the Obligation of Vow, nn. ¶1, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730 & 731 (31 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology

Vol. I, Tr. VI, On the Second Precept of t…, Ch. III, Article II. On the Obligation of a Vow, nn. 230, 231, 231, Q. 2 & 232 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Christian Theology, Dogmatic and Moral, Volume III: On the Decalogue

Diss. II, One Extorted by Fear or Error, the Conditional Vow, and the Penal Vow, n. ¶1 — Introductory remarks. Weighty questions arise in this disputation which I now undertake to examine; and — a matter of no small difficulty — I must, on several points, contend against very many recent casuists. Antiquity,… Read in context →

Diss. II, One Extorted by Fear or Er…, Chapter I — The obligation of a vow is explained: to what virtue it belongs — religion, or another; whether a smallness of matter can exist; and whether this obligation can pass on to others, nn. I–XXXII (32 passages)

Diss. II, One Extorted by Fear or Er…, Chapter II — Can the obligation of a vow be fulfilled by others, or does it pass to one's heirs?, nn. I–XXXII (32 passages)

Diss. II, One Extorted by Fear or Er…, Chapter III — On the time by which a vow must be fulfilled, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX & X (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Diss. II, One Extorted by Fear or Er…, Chapter IV — On the doubtful vow. When the one vowing, in doubt, must fulfill it, nn. I–XXII (22 passages)

Diss. II, One Extorted by Fear or Er…, Chapter V — How indeterminate vows are to be interpreted, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI & VII (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Diss. II, One Extorted by Fear or Er…, Chapter VI — Several cases concerning vows indeterminate as to the quantity, or quality, of the matter, are resolved, nn. I–XXXII (32 passages)

Diss. II, One Extorted by Fear or Er…, Chapter VIII — On the conditional vow, and on the penal vow, nn. I–XVII (17 passages)

Diss. II, Chapter IV — What the obligation of a promissory oath is. It is compared with the obligation of a vow. What intention, or resolve, is required in a promissory oath. To swear without the intention of swearing is always a mortal sin, nn. I–XXI (21 passages)

Christian Theology, Dogmatic and Moral, in Compendium

Bk. III, Diss. IX, Chapter IV — On the obligation of vows, and various questions concerning vows, nn. I–XVIII (18 passages)

Palladium Theologicum, Tome V: On the Virtues

Tr. IV, Disputation I: On the Vow, Question XI: Whether any obligation arises from a vow, and what it is, nn. 1–60 (60 passages)

Tr. IV, Disputation I: On the Vow, Question XII: Whether those under the age of puberty are bound by vows, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Treated under the broader heading Vows — Bucceroni, Cases of Conscience · Marc, Institutiones Morales · Konings, Theologia Moralis · Slater, Cases II · The Casuist · 1917 Code of Canon Law · Decretum of Gratian · Decretals of Gregory IX · Liber Sextus — these works do not divide the matter as finely as we do here, so their treatment stands one heading up (ed.)